World Kidney Day
Thursday 12 March 2009
One in seven Australians over 25 has Chronic Kidney Disease
which kills 40 Australians daily and is growing at 6% a year
according to Kidney Health Australia.
Anne Wilson CEO of Kidney Health Australia, speaking on the eve
of World Kidney Day said, "Dialysis for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
is the most frequent reason for hospitalisation in 2006- 07, regular
dialysis for CKD was recorded as the principal diagnosis in 933,772
hospitalisations.
"This accounted for 12.3% of all hospitalisation in that
year with CKD contributing to a further 187,513 hospitalisations."
Ms Wilson
said over 1 million hospital bed days or 4% of all bed days in
2006-07, were occupied by people with a principal diagnosis of CKD.
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director of Kidney Health Australia said,
"In a recent GP activity study 10.4% of all patients (>25
years) attending a general practitioner had CKD. Moderate or severe
CKD was present in 5.7% while 79% of all adults had at least one
risk factor for CKD.
"The survey also showed that high blood pressure in those with
moderate to severe CKD was controlled to target in only 37% of
patients."
Dr Mathew said the treatment of high blood pressure has become
the most important intervention in the management of all forms of
chronic kidney disease and the key message for World Kidney Day 2009
is to 'Keep The Pressure Down.'
"People can prevent hypertension -related kidney damage by
keeping blood pressure below 130/80, having their blood pressure
checked on a regular basis, eating a healthy diet and taking the
medication your doctor prescribes.
"For patients who have hypertension and kidney disease, the most
important treatment is to control blood pressure with drugs to lower
blood pressure and protect the kidneys from further damage."
"There is consistent evidence that with proper medications and
management, the number of people with kidney failure can be
significantly reduced. However, early stages of kidney disease often
go unrecognised, and the knowledge of what can be done to help
patients is often not applied," Dr Mathew said.
Media Enquiries:
Anne Wilson, CEO Kidney Health Australia
Mobile: 0400 165 391
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director Kidney
Health Australia Mobile: 0416 149 863
Ron Smith National
Media Communications Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0417 329
201
